Cocktail Mixing at Bank Restaurant

The morning after the Cocktail Mixing!

Cocktail mixing at Bank Restaurant, Westminster sounded great fun. The event was for 6 people…a glass of prosecco and some canapés to start, a demonstration from the bar manager and then your own attempt at making three cocktails and, of course, the opportunity to drink what you made. We booked for a Friday night, a little surprised that the restaurant would let us go on that date. When I arrived at the venue, I was even more surprised – the lobby bar was straining at the seams at 6.45pm – and at this stage I was worried what space there would be for us to do the cocktail mixing!

I was greeted by the lovely events manager Kate, who showed me a private room, all beautifully laid out with glasses and bottles of liqueurs and mixers for our event and then took me through to the main restaurant for glass of prosecco. She explained that they had a large group in that evening, something I suspect was booked after our cocktail mixing reservation was made! The restaurant itself wasn’t busy at all and was a really rather cool venue with well spaced tables and a view out over the courtyard.

Then we started the cocktail mixing.

First – Mohitos. We were shown how to squeeze fresh lime sections (about two thirds of the lime per person) then add rum (quite a lot) and mint. Slapping the mint caused some amusement but our instructor explained that by slapping, the flavour was released without any bitterness. The glass was then topped up with crushed ice and just a little soda.

Yum.

Our instructor explained that we could add in a variety of other flavours if we liked…we tried passion fruit and raspberry. But, if I am honest, I still preferred the straight traditional mohito.

Next Vodka Martinis

We all got a go at shaking cocktails at this stage. A vodka martini is essentially a vodka chilled over ice then strained and if you like flavoured with fruit juices. I think this was a slightly simplified demonstration as I seem to remember being shown how to do this with ice that had been tempered with just a little martini first. Nevertheless we all managed to produce lovely vodka martinis.

Finally we got to make a champagne cocktail, using Belvoir elderflower cordial, Chambord and Champagne. This drink was all about skillful pouring. Done well, the champagne glass had rainbow stripes of cordial, champagne and Chambord (mine was just a pretty pink colour, but it tasted just as nice!).

All in, great fun, accompanied by a good range of canapés. We went back to the restaurant where the success of the cocktail mixing can perhaps be measured by the fact that we all ordered Steak Frites rather than trying to work through the menu! I really don’t think I should try to pretend that I can write a sensible review of the food – the canapes we had with the cocktails were lovely and I remember a lot of clean plates at dinner…but the focus of the evening was definitely making cocktails…and drinking them.

It was a fabulous way to spend a Friday evening. And I’d recommend cocktail mixing as a really fun way to start a special night – a birthday, hen night or similar.

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Bianco 43 - Pizzeria in Croydon

When I moved to South Croydon just over 4 years ago, I was a little amused by the ambitiously titled ‘Restaurant Quarter’, but have come to appreciate the area; not least as I can walk there and back and feel marginally virtuous after enjoying a meal. So it’s always interesting to see new restaurants open, what they have to offer, and ultimately if they become successful.

A couple of weeks back I was invited to the opening of Bianco 43, an Italian owned and run restaurant. We were able to sample some of the authentic foods; arancini, fresh mozzarella, beautiful cured hams, and of course, pizza. It’s a large restaurant, with a nice bar, an open kitchen and plenty of seating. Not that I need it now that my son is 22, but one feature I would have loved when he was little is the designated area at the back of the restaurant where professional babysitters look after visitor’s children while they eat their meal. It’s lovely to eat as a family, but to get your coffee in peace is great! The service is free for paying customers, available from 12-4pm Saturdays and Sundays at Croydon (and Blackheath) only. All ages are welcome and activities include soft toys, arts and crafts and games.